Minnesota shares Blue's inexperience

When the Michigan hockey team takes the ice tonight at the Target Center in Minneapolis for the Hall of Fame Game, it should see something rather familiar.

No. 4 Minnesota - No. 9 Michigan's first opponent in the young season - is in a similar state of affairs as the Wolverines. Both teams are entering the season after the departure of marquee players, and both have rosters with an abundance of youth.

"We feel we're kind of a little bit like Michigan," Minnesota coach Doug Woog said. "Almost all of our guys are 18-year-old freshmen when they came in. They are still blossoming, and we feel that some of the kids are still making some improvements."

FILE PHOTO Michigan's Bill Muckalt will try to lead the inexperienced Wolverines in their season opener tonight in Minnesota. Faced with the loss of last year's star seniors, Michigan features a lineup loaded with 10 freshmen.

The Golden Gophers are in an unfortunate situation this season. With only a short time before official practices began, Woog lost two of his best players to the professional ranks.

Mike Crowley, a two-time All-America and a Hobey Baker finalist last season, left Minnesota to play IHL hockey for the Cincinnati Cyclones. The departure of one of the top defensemen in the country and last season's WCHA most valuable player has left large gaps in the Minnesota defense.

"On defense this year, we might have some problems," Woog said.

The other standout Gopher to make an exodus from Minnesota was Erik Rasmussen. Rasmussen - the highest American-born player picked in the 1996 NHL Draft at seventh - might be best remembered by Michigan for his performance against the Wolverines in last season's College Hockey Showcase. He scored three goals and dominated the ice in a performance considered one of Minnesota's best ever.

While the Gophers have lost two key players, however, the Wolverines have lost nine since last season. The much talked-about departure of Michigan's best class of players has caused a lot of speculation about Michigan's ability to further the legacy left behind by last year's seniors. Finally, this weekend will give people an opportunity to see the 10 heralded freshman.

"We think Minnesota will be in the same situation as us, trying to find out what combinations work," Michigan coach Red Berenson said.

The Wolverines will be unveiling their new-look team. Unlike previous seasons, when everyone expected tremendous blow-out victories by the potent Wolverines, this season is a little more uncertain.

Michigan does feature the leading career point-scorer in the NCAA, Bill Muckalt, with 159. The senior right wing will have to spearhead the Michigan offense, along with the help of senior captain Matt Herr, who scored 29 goals last season.

"Muckalt will definitely be what the other teams are focusing on," Berenson said. "Every team has one, and Muckalt is it for us."

An interesting side note is freshman Josh Langfeld. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound forward is a Coon Rapids, Minn., native.

Minnesota is wild about hockey, and Langfeld is expecting a strong reaction from the crowds.

"It's exciting to play in Minnesota," Langfeld said. "The crowds are great, and I should have a few friends coming to the game."

Langfeld has been one of the few freshmen that already have high expectations placed on them. Mike Van Ryn, Mark Kosick and Scott Matzka are a few others expected to make strong contributions to the team.

"This is going to be a great experience for our new players, a great start to a season," Berenson said.

Later this weekend, the Wolverines open their home season against Toronto.

They play the Varsity Blues at Yost Ice Arena on Sunday at 3 p.m.

10-10-97